![\"Fresno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790248704_791_FRS_Dogfoot_sacstate_12.JPG\" "\\"Fresno")
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Fresno State players run onto the field before the start of their first home game of the year against Sacramento State at Valley Children’s Stadium in Fresno on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n
CRAIG KOHLRUSS<\/p>\n
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
The Fresno State football team will try to make it three straight wins when it hosts Rice at 7 p.m. Saturday at Valley Children\u2019s Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs are coming off a dominant 26-10 victory over San Jose State.<\/p>\n
Fresno State running back Bryson Donelson carried the ball nine times for 57 yards and a touchdown in the win. Quarterback Jayden Mandal threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Josiah Freeman caught six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n
But Fresno State\u2019s defense stole the show.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs (2-1) made life difficult for San Jose State quarterback Luke Weaver, who threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. Fresno State\u2019s defensive performance helped the Bulldogs pull away and secure their second consecutive victory.<\/p>\n
Rice, meanwhile, is coming off a 28-21 loss to Western Michigan. The Owls\u2019 lone win this season came against Houston Christian, a 31-3 victory.<\/p>\n
Rice (1-2) runs a piston triple-option offense that can create problems for opposing defenses. Fresno State coach Matt Entz is well aware of the challenge and has spent the week preparing his team for the Owls\u2019 unique attack.<\/p>\n
Jacurri Brown leads Rice with 258 rushing yards, while Chibby Nwajuaku leads the Owls with two sacks.<\/p>\n
Fresno State is a 13.5-point favorite, with the over\/under set at 45.5 points, according to DraftKings<\/a>.<\/p>\n How The Bee is faring in picking Bulldogs games<\/p>\n The Bee is 3-0 in picking games.<\/p>\n The Bee correctly picked Fresno State to lose to USC, but rebound against Sacramento State and SanJose State.<\/p>\n Against the spread<\/p>\n The Bee predicted USC to win 40-27, when the actual score was 39-0. The spread in that game was -21.5 USC. The over\/under was 51.5. The Bee went 0-2 there.<\/p>\n Against Sacramento State, The Bee had Fresno State winning 34-13. The actual score was 49-3. The spread was -17.5 points in favor of the Bulldogs, with the O\/U at 44.5 points. The Bee bounced back with a 2-0 record.<\/p>\n The spread for the Fresno State\/San Jose State game was. The Bee predicted Fresno State to win 47-24. The line was set at -4.5 points in favor of Fresno State. The Bulldogs won the game 26-10. The O\/U was 48.5 points. The Bee was 1-1.<\/p>\n Season total: 2-1 ATS and 1-2 O\/U, for a combined 3-3 record.,<\/p>\n Prediction<\/p>\n Fresno State has blown out its opponents in each of the last two games. Could that streak end against Rice?<\/p>\n Probably not.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs\u2019 defense has been too disruptive to ignore, and Fresno State should be able to withstand Rice\u2019s triple-option attack from the opening kickoff.<\/p>\n The bigger question is whether the Fresno State offense can find its rhythm.<\/p>\n Mandal has acknowledged that he needs to play better<\/a>, and he should have plenty of opportunities to do so against Rice.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs have enough playmakers around him to keep the Owls\u2019 defense under pressure.<\/p>\n The status of left tackle Brayden Walton is one concern heading into the game. His availability could have an impact on Fresno State\u2019s ability to establish its offense, but the Bulldogs should have enough on both sides of the ball to handle Rice.<\/p>\n Expect Fresno State\u2019s defense to set the tone early before the offense takes over in the second half.<\/p>\n Prediction: Fresno State 42, Rice 17<\/p>\n This story was originally published September 23, 2026 at 1:28 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news\/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.\u00a0
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